WRITING LETTERS TO THE EDITORS OF PRINT PUBLICATIONS

Unlike letters sent to television stations, letters sent to newspapers and magazines are frequently published. In addition to holding the publication accountable, letters to the editor offer you the potential opportunity to voice your opinion directly to their readership. With a few exceptions – such as advice columnists and popular opinion columnists – most journalists receive very few letters. If you write a good letter to a local publication, your odds of getting it published are high, and even letters to national publications stand a fair chance of getting published.

With the exception of some major national publications, most newspapers and magazines have a much smaller audience than television news. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a daily circulation of about 400,000, with about 650,000 on Sundays. Creative Loafing, Georgia's second-largest paper, has a weekly circulation of about 140,000. Almost all other papers in the state have circulations below 100,000. However, people who read newspapers are disproportionately likely to vote (around the 80% range), and lawmakers pay careful attention to what is written in the local press.

Why might you write a letter to the editor?

• To correct a factual error.
• To provide important information that was omitted from the original story.
• To criticize a bias or poor analysis.
• To offer an alternative analysis or interpretation of the facts presented in the story.
• To comment on an issue raised by a story (not necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with the reporter).

Here's how to write an effective letter to the editor:

1. Make one – and only one – focused point. If you go on to criticize the writer's grammar, alma mater and funny-looking mustache, your central point will get lost and you may be discounted as irrational or just plain mean.
2. Keep it short. No more than 200 words, and try for about 150. That's about three concise paragraphs. If you go longer, the editors will end up cutting it anyway or may not run it at all. Get right to the point, make it, then close.
3. Reference the article to which you are responding. For example, "I nearly sprayed my espresso this morning while reading Ben Dare's take on the MeetUp phenomenon. ("Caffeinated Culture?" August 15.)"
4. Reveal a personal connection. Editors love authentic, even eccentric stories (as long as you keep it brief). Personal details also help readers see you as a person, not just a partisan. Example: "As a devoted yoga practitioner who hasn't missed a single election – not even a 10% turnout run-off – in the forty-three years I have been of voting age, I was surprised to learn from Stu Pid that the followers of various meditation techniques are 'too self-absorbed to unfold their legs and make their way to the polls.'"
5. Generally speaking, do not reveal an organizational or professional connection. Unless your profession or association with an organization is directly and essentially relevant to the point you are trying to make, do not include information about the organizations to which you belong. If you write as a member of an organization, many readers will assume you are just lobbying for their agenda. The opinions of individuals are more likely to be read as authentic opinions. (Exception: If your organization or profession will establish you as an expert on a matter directly and essentially relevant to your point, then include it. e.g. A civil rights lawyer commenting on a reporter's interpretation of a recent Supreme Court decision.)
6. Cite facts relevant to your point. Don't just assert your position; back it up with evidence. Quote from authoritative sources and cite trustworthy statistics.
7. Match your voice to the publication. Mainstream daily newspapers usually prefer straightforward, respectful writing. Alternative publications often prefer a more controversial, even aggressive approach. Know the publication and write accordingly.
8. Use original and clever language. Editors appreciate writing that uses language in unexpected ways. Boring: "I was outraged by Connie Serve's offensive portrayal of progressives in..." Interesting: "Connie Serve may never have met a progressive she didn't loathe, but quite frankly we don't think much of her either. (And she's never once RSVPed for one of our leftist liberal lunatic parties.)"
9. Be careful of tangents. Letters to the editor don't have to respond only to what was written in a story. You can use the story as an opportunity to talk more broadly about a related issue not directly addressed by the reporter. Such letters are sometimes printed, but the side issue you raise must be compelling. Otherwise, the letter is unlikely to be published.
10. Remember to write letters praising good stories. It's easy to remember to write a letter when you disagree with a story, but positive letters also make a difference. (And most journalists receive very few positive letters.) Reporters who take noble but unpopular stands in their stories -- perhaps angering some readers, editors or publishers -- will have an easier time taking those stands in the future if they can point to letters praising them for their work.
11. E-mail or fax your note. In order to be published, letters to the editor generally must be received in a timely fashion: the same day for dailies and within 2-3 days for weeklies. Snail mail letters won't arrive on time, and phone calls don't automatically generate a paper trail. Send your letters to the reporter, the reporter's direct editor, and to whatever address the publication lists for letters to the editor. (Some publications offer online forms for letters to the editor. If you use these, you should still try to send a copy of your note to the reporter and editor.)
12. Include your full name and contact information. Editors may want to verify or clarify information in your letter. Because they may be doing this on a tight production schedule, make it easy for them to find you: Home phone, work phone, mobile phone, pager, e-mail... whatever you can give them.

And a special letter-writing campaign tip:

GEORGIA NEWSPAPER CONTACTS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
letters@ajc.com
fax: 404-526-5610

Find e-mail addresses for reporters and editors at:
AJC Quick Contacts
AJC Staff

Creative Loafing
letters.atl@creativeloafing.com
fax: 404-614-3599

Find e-mail addresses for reporters and editors at:
Creative Loafing Staff

Other Media
Contact Information for Georgia and Nationwide Media